Broadwise Solutions Is Now Cyber Essentials Certified and Here’s What We Learned
Published on 7 April 2026
I knew I should have sorted Cyber Essentials sooner.
I just didn’t make it a priority.
I wasn’t ignoring cyber security.
I had different passwords. A bit of two-factor authentication. The basics.
But if I’m honest, it wasn’t something I was taking seriously enough.
What changed?
Two things pushed it up the list.
First, I’ve got a good relationship with someone who really knows this space.
Second, I kept hearing the same thing at manufacturing events.
Cyber security is becoming a bigger deal.
Around half of UK “production” businesses reported a cyber breach or attack in the last year.
Not just internally… but across supply chains.
You hear about incidents at companies like Jaguar Land Rover, and suddenly it’s not theoretical anymore. It’s real.
And more importantly… it’s starting to get pushed down the chain.
If you want to work with certain companies, you need to prove you’re not the weak link in their supply chain.
What I expected (vs what actually happened)
Going into Cyber Essentials, I expected:
- something technical
- something time-consuming
- something expensive
- something disruptive
The reality was a lot more manageable.
There were a few parts that needed proper thought.
But overall, it was far simpler than I expected.
In fact, I realised I was already doing quite a lot right.
The bits that actually made me stop and think
One of the bigger changes was separating admin access from day-to-day use.
So instead of just having one account, you have:
- an admin account for installs and changes
- a standard account for everyday work
It’s simple.
But changing how you work, even slightly, takes adjustment.
That’s probably where most people will resist.
Not because it’s difficult… but because it breaks habits.
Where having the right person matters
The process itself is straightforward.
But the wording of some of the questions isn’t.
That’s where having someone who knows it properly makes a big difference.
I worked with Simon Colton at White Hawk Solutions, and he made the whole thing far easier than it would have been on my own.
He walked me through what mattered, helped me understand where people trip up, and made sure everything was done properly.
If I’d done it solo, it would have taken far longer. Easily.
What’s actually changed in my business
Nothing dramatic.
But a lot of small improvements that add up:
- stronger password setup
- more consistent use of two-factor authentication
- clearer structure around accounts and access
- a better understanding of what “good” actually looks like
More importantly, I now know how to build this properly as the business grows.
It’s much easier to do this now…
Than try to retrofit it into a bigger team later.
Why this matters for manufacturers
This is the real reason I did it.
More and more manufacturers are being asked about Cyber Essentials.
Sometimes directly. Sometimes through their customers.
And from what I’m seeing, most haven’t done it yet.
Not because they don’t care.
But because it feels like:
- it’ll take too long
- it’ll be too technical
- it’ll be expensive
- it’ll disrupt operations
So it gets pushed down the list.
“We’ll deal with it later.”
The problem is… later tends to arrive quickly.
Especially when it starts affecting tenders, partnerships, or supply chain requirements.
Where I stand now
Broadwise Solutions is now Cyber Essentials certified.
I’ve got a much clearer understanding of what’s involved, what actually matters, and where the friction points are.
I now understand it well enough to guide clients in the right direction, or connect them with the right people to get it done properly.
And that means I can have better conversations with the manufacturers I work with.
Not as a cyber security expert…
But as someone who’s been through it.
If you’re thinking about it
If Cyber Essentials is starting to appear on your radar and you’re not sure where to start…
Happy to share my experience.
And if you want an introduction to someone who can guide you through it properly, I can point you in the right direction.
